He strode into the walk-in closet, changed into a comfortable set of loungewear, and then joined Yvonne for dinner.

Helen had made several of her signature dishes, including a comforting pork rib and lotus root soup.

Yvonne, who had been eating diet meals for days, could feel her mouth watering at the fragrant aroma of the food.

"Why is dinner so lavish again? I'm supposed to be on a diet.”

"One meal won't hurt. You can get back to it after you've eaten," Bennett said with a smile, picking up a pork rib with his utensils and placing it on Yvonne's plate.

Yvonne bit into the rib, her eyes curving into crescents just like Letitia's as she smiled.

After dinner, Yvonne took a long, relaxing hot bath. When she emerged from the bathroom, Bennett was sitting on the bed, reading a book.

It was a thick volume on military theory, clearly read many times. Certain pages were marked with notes in handwriting that was strong and sharp, full of character— just like the man himself.

"Why didn't you dry your hair before coming out?" Bennett's gaze shifted from his book to Yvonne.

"The hairdryer wasn't in the bathroom," Yvonne said. She walked over to the vanity, opened a drawer, and found the hairdryer tucked inside.

The last time she had dried her hair in the bedroom, she had put it in the vanity drawer and forgotten to move it back.

Yvonne sat at the vanity and began drying her hair. The hairdryer was a quiet model, so it didn't disturb Bennett's reading.

Once her hair was dry, Yvonne put the hairdryer down and walked toward the bed. The moment she stopped beside it, Bennett's arm shot out and pulled her into his embrace.

Yvonne fell onto his lap, immediately feeling the hard, hot ridge between his legs.

Her cheeks flushed uncontrollably. "Aren't you tired? How are you still this worked up?"

Yvonne knew how demanding Bennett's job was. To fly out and pick her up today, he must have worked late into the night. The corners of his eyes were event slightly red.

"I'm never tired when I see you,” he murmured, his arms wrapped around her.

"Well, I'm tired. We're just sleeping tonight," Yvonne said, turning him down.

Bennett's dark eyes narrowed slightly, and the arms around her waist loosened a fraction.

He would never force her to do anything, especially not in bed. No matter how much he wanted her, if Yvonne said no, he would always respect her wishes.

"You must be tired from the flight. You should get some rest," Bennett said, letting her go and pulling ker down to lie beside him on the

།

comfortable bed:

"Yes, and you'll sleep with me," Yvonne said, settling into the crook of his arm. She began to pat his chest gently.

"Are you trying to soothe me like a child?" Bennett couldn't help but chuckle.

Yvonne asked, "Are you going to let me?"

"Do as you wish," he replied with a sigh.

"Then close your eyes," she instructed.

Bennett obediently closed his eyes. Yvonne continued to pat him gently as she began to hum a soft tune.

"Moonlight migrates across the

night sky, gathering in one direction.

Not some fantastical light from

another world, but simply because

of your Fireflies drift to the lawn shaking off halos of light as they rush to you. I sketch this scene like a dancing pencil, gifting this beauty to

you. You will grow wings, and

embrace a galaxy of stars..."

Bennett was clearly exhausted. Yvonne was only halfway through the song when he fell into a deep sleep.

Yvonne stopped patting him. Her beautiful, fox-like eyes narrowed as she gazed at him intently.

“Bennett, you don't have to be so careful. I'm never, ever going to leave you again,” she whispered, leaning in to place a gentle kiss on his forehead.